Draft: December 5, 2007
Approved:
December 19, 2007
School
Committee meeting December 5, 2007
Prior to Executive Session and Business meeting new committee members met with Harry Pringle to discuss Board roles and responsibilities.
Consideration
and action to move into Executive Session to discuss negotiations
with
B.A.S.E., and Ed. Tech/Language Facilitators, pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405(6)(D)
Members present: Rebecca Minnick, Susan Hopkins, Kate Snyder, Sarah Thompson, Robert O’Brien, Peter Eglinton, Jaimey Caron, John Coyne
Members not present: Lori Gramlich
At 6:30pm Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded Ms. Thompson and voted unanimously to
move into Executive Session to discuss Negotiations with B.A.S.E., and Ed.
Tech/Language Facilitators, pursuant to 1 MRSA § 405(6)(D)
At 7;15pm Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Ms. Hopkins and voted to come out of Executive Session
Mr. Coyne called the meeting to order at 7:20 pm
Members present: Robert O’Brien, Lori Gramlich, John Coyne, Jaimey Caron, Kate Snyder, Susan Hopkins, Sarah Thompson, Peter Eglinton, Rebecca Minnick, Jules Szanton, Christopher Pulsoni, Joshua Tingley
Mr. Coyne:
Ms. Gramlich – what is timeframe for committee assignments? Mr. Coyne indicated by the December 19th meeting.
Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers:
Ms. Thompson– asked about high schools writing checks and Title IX compliance.
Ms. Whynot-Vickers – indicated that this is a check and balance protocol that needs to be followed.
Ms. Hopkins – raising aspirations and advancing rigor seems to lower the drop out rate.
Questions:
Ms. Gramlich – asked if this draft means that there could be an infinite number of students in each category. Mr. Kunin – that could easily happen depending on how many rigorous courses students decided to take. Where does Casco Bay High School fit in? Mr. Lafavore indicated that CBHS fits in perfectly with this type of system.
Ms. Thompson- asked about Deering High versus Portland High schedules and how they would work for students? When incoming freshmen are signing up will students know how this plan will come into play? Mr. Kunin – it is possible in a 4x4 schedule at Deering to take more classes. However, students at Casco Bay or Portland would not be able to take quite as many credits. Students will know that this type of system is what they can expect.
Mr. O’Brien– asked for clarification that this will be done without weighted grades and about leaving room for students who want to pursue electives as well as this may prevent “senior slide” and not front load courses. Also mentioned that upper level classes do not seem to be very diverse. Mr. Kunin – indicated that is correct. Students should be able to plan their high school career by including some electives. Debate is still taking place about who will speak at graduation. It could be that summa cum laude group who wished to be considered would submit a written speech and someone would be selected. As for diverse classes the current data is a little better than expected. Want to encourage classes to reflect diversity.
Mr. Caron – asked about policy, guidelines and public involvement with process.
Mr. O’Brien– procedures, which are established by administration, are attached to some policies.. Since this is such a public and important issue the school committee will ratify procedures although that is not the usual process. All work done up to know is still on the Portland Schools web site. Mr. Kunin indicated that this has been how this has been vetted with staff, classes, advisory groups. This system would recognize and reward academic excellence. Current system does not do this.
Mr. Szanton– this is the biggest issue he hears about from students. New system does reward students for taking hard glasses and getting good grades. Why can’t it be indicated as summa cum laude and weighted grades? Mr. Kunin - this proposed system would encourage students to work a bit harder. Mr. Lafavore – shift from weighted grades to weighted effort.
Ms. Thompson– unclear about ratification vote – will that be ratifying the designations?
Mr. O’Brien– wants everything in writing before ratification – description of each category, etc.
Mr. Tingley– this system would be pushing students to take rigorous courses. Is there going to be anything built in if, all of a sudden, 80% of the students get into the classification? Mr. Kunin – will monitor and there is always the possibility to raise the bar.
Ms. Minnick– becomes less of a comparison of students against each other.
Ms. Snyder – this is a descriptive system. Important how colleges will use this information and once students know where they stand they could consider taking some electives. Mr. Kunin – this could come down to what the students want to achieve and where they want to go.
Mr. O’Brien – honor roll will not be abolished and may be replacing the class rank with a decile. Mr. Kunin – honor roll will not be abolished and class rank would report in decile 10%, 20%, etc.
·
Ms. Hopkins – old business suggested not removing some
items from the table.
·
Mr. Coyne– asked that agendas indicate Room 250 at CBHS
not PATHS.
Consent Items Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers reviewed the donations and thanked the contributors.
Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded Mr. Eglinton to remove item #3 from the table.
Vote: It was voted 9-0 to remove item #3 from the table. (Students - 2yea, 1 nay)
3. Consideration and action to approve policy BEDD Rules of Order
Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded Mr. Caron to approve policy BEDD Rules of Order
Debate: Ms. Hopkins - had two minor corrections.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to approve policy BEDD Rules of Order
(Students voted with majority)
(Did not take any action on policies 2-9)
2. Consideration and action to approve policy BDE Subcommittees, Task Forces, Advisory Groups
Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to approve policy BDE Subcommittees, Task Forces, Advisory Groups
4.Consideration and action to approve policy DBC Budget Deadlines and Schedules
Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to approve policy DBC Budget Deadlines and Schedules
5.Consideration and action to approve policy DBG Budget Hearings/ Reviews/Adoptions
Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to approve policy DBG Budget Hearings/ Reviews/Adoptions
6.Consideration and action to approve policy DBI Budget Implementation
Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to approve policy DBI Budget Implementation
7.Consideration and action to approve policy DI Fiscal Accounting and Reporting
Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to approve policy DI Fiscal Accounting and Reporting
8.Consideration and action to approve policy DIC Financial Reports and Statements
Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to approve policy DIC Financial Reports and Statements
9.Consideration and action to approve policy DIF Budget Amendment
Moved_____ Seconded_____ Voted_____ to approve policy DIF Budget Amendment
Mr. Caron moved, seconded Ms. Hopkins to accept the Educational Specifications on the Clifford Project.
Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers and Michael Johanning, WBRC architect, spoke to motion. Mr. Johanning also spoke about the straw poll where a presentation will be given on an overview of site and then will ask public if they approve the site for construction by show of hands. Non-binding vote. A second straw poll will be taken just before concept approval.
Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers and others will meet with Scott Brown, DOE, on December 19th where a determination will be made as to whether or not this project will be on the January 2008 State Board of Education agenda.
Mr. Johanning– putting together site application, which will be presented to Mr. Brown on December 19th. A subcommittee will review site application and determine if this would be on January agenda for the State Board of Education.
Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers – asked if can’t get on January 2008 agenda what happens? Mr. Johanning indicated that the schedule would become much more complex.
Ms. Hopkins– asked what happens if there is overwhelming opposition with straw poll. Mr. Johanning - state will take that into consideration.
Ms. Gramlich –asked if the December 13th meeting would be an opportunity for community to weigh in. Mr. Johanning– yes, this process is mandated by the state.
Public comment: None
Debate:
Mr. Caron –many elements in document and wonders if information is consistent. Emphasis on technology - public institutes are always last to catch up and there is a need to keep up with technology. This facility is a community resource. Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers – standards driven by developmental ages and how children learn. There is a need for flexible spacing. When designing a new school it is an opportunity to get it right. In current buildings trying to get wireless access and we are supplying technology, etc. to schools as best we can. Community centers in schools will need the building committee to weigh in on that as gym size would have to be larger that what would normally be built for an elementary school. Parks and Rec. does provide before/after school care, but does not have rec. programs in all buildings.
Ms. Snyder– mentioned that some people did not show up at Ed Specification meetings. Mr. Johanning – Ed specs committee talked about flexibility.
Vote: It was voted unanimously to accept the Educational Specifications on the Clifford Project. (Students voted with majority)
Personnel
1. Consideration and action to the authorize the hiring process to begin for the vacancies listed:
Ms. Whynot-Vickers reviewed the positions listed.
|
Position |
FTE |
Location |
Annual Salary(pro rated) |
Funding Source |
Rationale |
||||
|
Student Art Show Coordinator |
|
Portland Education Partnership |
$ 3000 Stipend position |
Partners
in Arts and Learning (Maine Arts Commission) through the Portland Education
Partnership |
The
coordinator is expected to partner with PPS teachers, students and staff,
city employees and community volunteers for annual student art exhibits |
||||
|
Receptionist |
.5 |
CBHS |
6,345.60 |
Local |
This position is necessary as the
responsibilities are multiple. In particular the person in this position is
first in line to answer the phone as well as meet/greet people coming to
CBHS. Also, the individual handles all of the attendance- tardies,
dismissals, excused absences etc. The person handles our "Visitor"
process, which involves regular contact with 23 sending schools as well as
coordinating our staff schedules to insure that the process runs smoothly. |
||||
Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Ms. Minnick to authorize the hiring process to begin for the vacancies listed.
Ms. Gramlich – asked if PATHS currently had a receptionist; how many receptionists are in the other two high schools; what is student/support staff ratio. Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers – indicated that advertising for .5 at PATHS is being posted. CBHS has 1.5 secretaries while other high schools have approx. 8. CBHS and PATHS have about 600 students.
Debate: Ms. Gramlich moved, seconded Mr. O’Brien to separate positions and voted 7-2 (students with minority)
Consideration and action to authorize hiring process to being for the Student Art Show Coordinator.
|
Position |
FTE |
Location |
Annual Salary(pro rated) |
Funding Source |
Rationale |
||||
|
Student Art Show Coordinator |
|
Portland Education Partnership |
$ 3000 Stipend position |
Partners
in Arts and Learning (Maine Arts Commission) through the Portland Education
Partnership |
The
coordinator is expected to partner with PPS teachers, students and staff,
city employees and community volunteers for annual student art exhibits |
||||
Vote: It was voted unanimously to authorize the hiring process to begin for the Student Art Show Coordinator. (Students voted with majority)
Consideration and action to authorize the hiring process to begin for the .5 receptionist at Casco Bay High School.
|
Receptionist |
.5 |
CBHS |
6,345.60 |
Local |
This position is necessary as the
responsibilities are multiple. In particular the person in this position is
first in line to answer the phone as well as meet/greet people coming to
CBHS. Also, the individual handles all of the attendance- tardies,
dismissals, excused absences etc. The person handles our "Visitor"
process, which involves regular contact with 23 sending schools as well as
coordinating our staff schedules to insure that the process runs smoothly. |
Ms. Thompson moved, seconded Ms. Minnick to authorize the hiring process to begin for the .5 receptionist at Casco Bay High School.
Mr. Szanton –asked why CBHS receptionist also has PATHS duties. Ms. Whynot-Vickers – since there is the sharing a school this position is split between the two entities.
Ms. Thompson - spoke to position at CBHS. Indicated that there are three receptionists at PHS.
Ms. Hopkins– supports motion.
Ms. Minnick–supports motion. Asked if position could possibly be combined with PATHS. Interim Superintendent Whynot-Vickers – indicated that it is a combined position.
Mr. O’Brien– has been into CBHS and they obviously do need a receptionist.
Ms. Gramlich – mentioned some equity issues surrounding staffing at CBHS, but does support motion.
Mr. Coyne – does not support.
Vote: It was voted 8-1 to authorize the hiring process to begin for the .5 receptionist at Casco Bay High School. (Students - 1yea, 1 nay, 1 abstention)
Mr. Coyne - thanked Jill Blackwood for providing a gavel. Welcomed student representatives to the Committee.
Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded Ms. Gramlich and voted unanimously to adjourn the business meeting at 9:22pm
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Whynot-Vickers
Interim Superintendent of Schools